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What’s on this weekend? who knows? Simone Whetton does!

Whether it’s an indoors event you’re looking for, or something with a bit of fresh air attached, there’s always something for you to do.

Note: this segment is heard on-air at approximately 8.50am Saturdays and 10.05am Sundays and it is updated and published online Friday afternoon.

All correspondence to Simone’s what’s on should go to: net.au

Things to do this Weekend

SATURDAY 14 APRIL

ART

Allan Jones recent paintings and drawings: Young Australian artist Allan Jones will exhibit paintings and drawings that he has made after a recent trip to desert areas in Australia. when and where: 14 April to 10 may at Gallery Ecosse, Exeter Road, Exeter, Southern Highlands, Thursday to Saturday 10 till 5, Sunday 10 till 3.

Like – the Tempest: this is an exhibition featuring works by artists Jenny Lloyd which is part of the Harvest Festival. The exhibition explores the theme of tempestuous relationships. when and where: The exhibition is on from 14 April to 29 April from 11 till 6 at the Tizzana Winery, 518 Tizzana Road, Ebenezer.

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize: The Art Gallery of NSW plays host to its annual Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prize event. this year’s winners are Tim Storrier with “The histrionic wayfarer (after Bosch)” winning the 2012 Archibald Prize. The Wynne Prize for landscape painting or figurative sculpture goes to Imants Tillers for Waterfall (after Williams) and the Sulman Prize for subject, genre or mural painting to Nigel Milson for Judo House pt 4 (Golden Mud). when and where: Art Gallery of NSW, The Domain.

2012 Salon Des Refuses: The SH Ervin Gallery continues its alternative selection of Archibald and Wynne prize entrants. when and where: SH Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, The Rocks till 20 may.

The Dailies: A Kaldor public art project. this is a contemporary art installation by German artist Thomas Demand. The title of the exhibition reflects the term used in films for small items of footage which are daily moments of life that capture certain images. in this exhibition, Thomas Demand has taken photos of ordinary items, a chair, ashtray, plates and using a very ancient photography technique, has printed the photos on material that will preserve the photos for many years. The exhibition is an installation in a commercial lodging. The artist has taken over 15 identical hotel rooms from Commercial Travellers Association in Martin Place and hung one of his photos in each of these hotel rooms. You have to go into each of the hotel rooms and observe the room and the art. The question then becomes is the room also part of the art? there will also be night time viewings of the exhibition on Thursday 19 April 5.30 till 9.00 pm (this is an adult’s only event). The bar and meeting rooms of levels 1 and 2 of the Commercial Travellers Association Club will be open. there will be model making talks performance games and film. there are also school holiday workshops. this is a weird, slightly voyeuristic exhibition and really is an “in room” experience. A chance to have a glimpse inside a weird looking building that you can pass by daily and never really notice. The project has also seen a collaboration with Prada who has developed a scent for the exhibition which you can smell as you walk through each of the rooms. Curated with the assistance of Sophie Forbart. this is a John Kaldor inspired project. when and Where: on until 22 April at the MLC Centre Martin Place.

Botanica 2012: at the Royal Botanic Gardens there is a free exhibition by over 90 Australian artists. The works feature flowers and plants. all works are for sale. when and where: on now till Sunday 22 April 10am to 4pm Maiden Theatre Royal Botanic Gardens.

Peter Sharp: Hazelhurst Regional Gallery. Sydney artist Peter Sharp’s exhibition “Will to Form” is a series of his artworks that have been produced over the last 2 decades. there are drawings, paintings, sculpture and printmaking and new works specifically made for this exhibition. Free. when and Where: on now until 6 may, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Art Centre, 782 Kings way, Gymea. Daily 10.00 till 5.00, closed Excellent Friday.

Ferry Artist Gallery: at Wisemans Ferry, the exhibition “Distractions”, features works from artists Janeane Moore, Paul Turner and Jenni Mai Clissold. Paul Turner’s works are canvasses with a variety of colours that conceal various subject matter. Janeane Moore has mixed media creations and Jenni Mai Clissold features naive style colour in her work. Free. when and Where: Ferry Artist Gallery, Shops 1 and 2, The Arcade, Ancient Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry. Exhibition finishes Saturday 14 April – head to the main street of Wisemans Ferry.

Mosman Art Gallery: A new exhibition is featured at the Mosman Art Gallery called “safe from the city’s haste: Mosman Vistas from 1838 to 1955. The name of the exhibition comes from Henry Lawson’s poem Mosman Bay. Works by Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Julian Ashton and many others have been collected to show the views from Mosman and in Mosman. there is a special curator talk by Julie Petersen on Sunday 15 April at 2 pm (free including afternoon tea). when and where: on now till 13 may, Mosman Art Gallery, Mosman.

Joseph Beuys: at the University of Sydney’s art gallery take a look at the collection of work by German Artist Joseph Beuys which features sculpture, insulation and graphic art. One of his trademarks is wrapping as he was wrapped in felt when he was shot down over the Crimea in 1944. Entry is free. when and where: University Art Gallery, War Memorial Art, Northern end of the Quadrangle, University of Sydney, on now till 29 June Monday to Friday, 10 till 4.30. Saturdays 12 till 4 on the first Saturday of each month.

EXHIBITIONS

Fish in Art: this is a truly fascinating exhibition. The humble fish is shown in all its glory in a range of paintings by Australian artists from convict artists to modern day Mambo pictures. Curated by author, psychologist and art collector Stephen Scheding, this is very thoughtfully plotted so that you walk through the exhibition like a river coursing through with little eddy’s to stop and reflect in. there is a series of scientific paintings, some bounteous abundant fish, adornments for the table, goldfish with striking colours. Reflect on paintings showing the role of fish to show a household could provide for its members – or consider the sport of fishing and the pride taken by those who catch a huge fish after a wrestle with nature! A perfectly curated exhibition. Free with Museum entry . when and where: Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, on now till October.

Home front: The Museum of Sydney features a new exhibition “Home Front” which looks at how Australians coped during WWII and the war effort that went on in Australia. there are wartime artefacts including letters, photographs, wartime fashions and as part of the exhibition there will also be a series of talks and street tours. The exhibition marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Sydney Harbour. $10/$5 family tickets $20. in a very scary evening on 31 may 1942 Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour and attacked the Australian army by sinking the navy ship HMAS Kuttabul and 21 sailors died. when and Where: Now till 9 September, Museum of Sydney cnr Bridge and Phillip Street.

Lewin – Wild Art. Painter and naturalist William Lewin lived between 1770 and 1819 and started his life as an insect collector before becoming a professional artist. His voyage to Australia didn’t start smoothly as the ship sailed from England without him – he was already aboard with his wife Maria and then left the ship to attend to some business in London (perhaps to pick up art supplies?) but before he came back to the ship, it had sailed with his wife and not him! she arrived in the new colony but had to wait a year till he arrived! this exhibition is a perfectly curated and gentle walk through an impressive number of his works. my favourite is a gorgeous hibiscus which must have been a magnificent flower for English visitors to behold. Curated by Richard Neville, the exhibition feature water colours of birds, flowers and even Governor Macquarie’s crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1815. Free. when and where: on now at the State Library, Macquarie Street, City.

Sydney Elders: Photographer Mervyn Bishop has taken over 20 photographs of Indigenous elders living in Eora country in Sydney. These photographs are now on display at the Australian Museum. when and where: 6 College Street, Sydney on display from now.

Porcelain Art: The Sydney Southern Districts Association of Porcelain Artists will have an exhibition and sale of kiln fired art on till Wednesday 18 April. when and where: Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, the Kingsway Gymea. Free entry. 9.30 till 4.00 pm.

Behind the Lines: this year’s best cartoons 2011: from this weekend until may 27 you can see a selection of the best political cartoons covering Australian politics throughout 2011. The exhibition will also feature 2 discussions, the first on Friday 27 April at 7pm between Alan Moir, editorial cartoonist at the Sydney Morning Herald and Chaser member Chris Taylor (tickets $12). Cartoonist Andrew Marlton will talk with reporter and producer Dan Ilic with Hungry Beast reporter and producer Dan Ilic on Friday 4 may 7pm ($12). The exhibition is free. when and where: on now until may 27. Riverside Theatre Parramatta.

PERFORMANCE

Time Stands Still: Donald Margulies play “Time Stands Still” is presented by Fishy Productions at the Darlinghurst Theatre and directed by Kim Hardwick. The play is about a war journalist who is injured in a bomb attack on her car and traces the lives of war correspondents both professionally and personally. Tickets $38/$33. Bookings 8356 9987. when and Where: on now till 22 April, Darlinghurst Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point.

Bell Shakespeare: Macbeth. Kate Mulvany and Dan Spielman perform as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Bell Shakespeare’s production directed by Peter Evans. The cast also includes Colin moody, Robert Jago, Katy-Jean Harding, Gareth Reeves, Paul Reichstein, Lizzie Chebesta, Jason Chong, Hazem Shammas and Ivan Donato. Tickets $33/$79. when and Where: Now till 12 may Sydney Opera House Playhouse. Will also be on in Canberra 12 may to 2 June.

Lyrebird. Amelia Evans play about a celebration that occurs several months after the Black Saturday bushfires is a poignant and moving story. Directed by Gemma Gurney, and stars Maeve MacGregor, Lucy Miller, Jordan Kelly, Christian Willis and Sara Zwangobani. Having started life as a one act play with a professional play reading, it has been reworked into a more significant play and is on at the moment at the Ancient Fitzroy Theatre. when and where: on now until 21 April, Tuesday to Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday 5 pm. $33/$25, the Ancient Fitzroy Hotel and Theatre, corner of Cathedral Street and Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo.

Les Liaisons Dangerauses: Sam Strong directs Christopher Hampton’s adaption of Les Liaisons Dangerauses by the Sydney Theatre Company. The cast features Pamela Rabe, Hugo Weaving, Justine Clarke, Jane Harders, Heather Mitchell, Geraldine Hakewall, Ashley Ricardo, James Mackay and TJ Power. Tickets $35-90. if you like to be entertained and hear a excellent tale- then you are going to like this play. You may have seen the John Malkovich/ Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer movie of the same name (but in English!) but to see it on stage reveals the revenge, the sexual politics and intrigue in French society even more. A great evening out at the theatre! Bookings 9250 1777. when and where: on now until 9 June, Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.

The story of Mary MacLane by Herself: this play tells the story of the American Mary MacLane who was born in 1881 and died in August 1929. when she was 19 she wrote a best selling book all about her wild youthful life. Directed by Tanya Goldberg, the play is written and performed by Bojana Novakovic with an original soundtrack by Tim Rogers which is performed live by Tim, violinist Andy Baylor and mark Harris on double bass. The disappointing thing about this play is that you don’t come away feeling like you really know much about this woman Mary MacLane – what was the book that she wrote really about? how did a girl of modest means get a book published at age 19 and sell 100,000 copies- who bought them? whilst it is perfectly acted, you do go away feeling a little small changed on the story and why we should be interested in this woman. when and where: on now until 12 may, Stables Theatre Kings Cross.

The Man in Black, the Johnny Cash story: Tex Perkins returns for another season of “The Man in Black” about the life of Johnny Cash and the Tennessee four. Rachael Tidd is by his side singing as June Carter. Tickets $89/$69. when and where: on now until Sunday 22 April at The Playhouse.

OUT AND ABOUT

4th Annual Lifeline Book honest for Thornleigh: The annual Lifeline book honest for the Thornleigh Community Centre is on a weekend of 14 and 15 April. over 40,000 second-hand books are available including kids books, ancient classics, romance novels, history and politics, transport, cookery, Australiana as well as CDs and DVDs. when and where: Saturday 14 April, 8 till 6 am. Sunday 15 April 9 to 5 pm Thornleigh Community Centre corner of Phyllis and Central Avenue, Thornleigh.

Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon events: at the Zigzag Railway this weekend, you can get on board Thomas the Tank Engine and travel down to Bottom Points Station and meet the Stout Controller and have lots of fun with kids activities. Booking 6355 2955 or info at zigzagrailway.com.au. when and where: this weekend, Blue Mountains. The Ironfest at Lithgow is on over the last weekend of the school holidays, 21 and 22 April. A bizarre but fun event- which is a historical re-enactment including jousting and Napoleonic Eurobattle, maybe more for adults than kids but check it out. when and where: 21-22 April, Lithgow.

Kosciuszko Festival: The 6th Annual Kosciuszko Festival is on Saturday 14 April and Sunday 15 April. it celebrates the Polish/Irish, Polish, Aboriginal connections with the area and will feature an all day picnic on Saturday April 14 at St Thomas Church in Moonbah on the Moonbah River near Jindabyne. on Saturday evening there is a piano recital featuring works by Chopin and traditional Polish is available to feast on! The Polish/Aboriginal fraternity flights are on throughout Sunday. when and where: April 14 and 15, Mt Kosciuszko and surrounding areas.

Powerhouse Discovery Centre Open Day: Castle Hill on Saturday come to the regular Powerhouse Discovery Centre open day which features the kids’ show Lana Banana Fun Entertainment and kids are encouraged to bring a “responsible” broom or dust pan (or mirror ball!). Guides will take you through the transport collection. when and Where: 10 – 4 Saturday 14 April at 172 Showground Road Castle Hill

Smart Arts Youth Festival: over the next 2 weeks the Smart Arts Youth Festival is on at Pine Street Creative Centre in Chippendale and other locations throughout Sydney. there is an art exhibition on from this weekend until 28 April which features the works of emerging artists who are asked to respond to different statements provided by the curators. on April 16 and April 23 you can join in the sustainable jewellery workshop (6pm to 9pm both days) using recycled and reused materials to create a variety of jewellery. The sustainable book binding workshop is also on at the same time 16 April and 23 April 6pm to 9pm. Bookings on 9245 1583. Join in the great Art Debate on April 19 from 6pm to 8.30pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art where a range of guest speakers including Lew Palitis, Lindy Lee, Kath Melbourn, Willurei Kirkbright, Simon Banks and Tara Morelos will talk about different sectors in the arts industry. Bookings 9245 1503. The Street Art Jam is on April 21 from 12.30pm to 4pm and you can learn about street art techniques and bring a t-shirt if you’d like to learn to print on that. there will also be a mobile film workshop on April 25 and April 26 from 6pm to 9pm where you’ll use your mobile phone as a film device and edit your own footage into a 2 to 5 minute film which will be screened at the closing party on 27 April. more details on pinestreet.com.au. when and where: 13 to 28 April.

Dachshund BBQ and information session: Dachshunds have been recruited as part of an artwork – no harm will come to them! Bring your Dachshund along on Saturday 14 April from 2pm to 4pm to see how they can be part of the Bennett Miller artwork “Dachshund UN” which will be on from Sunday 3 to Monday 4 June – where 47 of the delegates in the UN Human Rights Council are live Dachshund. You can email at dachshunds@performancebase.com.au to register your interest. when and where: Track 8, Carriage Works, Saturday 14 April 2pm to 4pm, Eveleigh St, Redfern.

TALKS

Australian Social Innovation eXchange: The first Australian change makers festival is on in the Carriageworks precinct now until 22 April. it will feature artists work in cross media in insulation art which is open to the public. The social innovation honest will be on Sunday, 22 April also in the Carriageworks precinct. when and where: Now until 22 April Carriageworks, Wilson Street, Eveleigh.

SUNDAY 15 APRIL

MUSIC

The Georges Melies Project: The silent movies of French Director Georges Melies will be screened at Riverside Theatre on Sunday 15 April at 3 pm. American composer Phillip Johnstone has composed musical scores for these films which will be played live by the Australian Transparent Quartet with Daryl Pratt on vibraphone, Matt MacMahon on piano, Cameron Undy on bass and Phillip Johnston on soprano saxophone. Tickets $40/36. Bookings 8839 3399. when and where: Sunday 15 April 3pm Riverside Theatre, Parramatta.

OUT AND ABOUT

Bare Island Fort, La Perouse Open Day. have you been to Bare Island Fort? if not and you’ve all your life for it then this is your chance. $10/8 and kids under 5 are free and you can hear lots of talks about the history of Bare Island, watch the re-enactment of musket and canon firing, watch the morse coders demonstrate their skills and go on a self guided tour of the fort. when and where: Sunday 15 April 10 till 4 pm, Bare Island Fort, La Perouse.

EXHIBITIONS

Australian National Maritime Museum: Kids on Deck is a fun Sunday activity for children aged 5 to 12 every Sunday from 11.00 to 3.00. You can explore water and its usage, conservation and bubble painting $8.50. there are also fun activities with the cabinet of curiosities touch trolley from 11.00 to noon and 2.00 till 3.00 (free with museum entry). Don’t forget in the holidays the Australian National Maritime Museum will host a whole lot of school holiday activities including the Fish Fantastic fun daily from 10 to 4 where you can make your own neon fish, print scales on a reusable bag or make a 3D shark puzzle ($8.50). there will also be a clay national workshop on Friday 20 April for kids aged to 14 from 10.00 till 3.00 pm ($40/$35) bookings 9298 3655.

Women with Clever Hands: at the Australian Centre for Design a new Indigenous exhibition featuring fibre work by women artists from Gapuwiyak North East Arnhem Land. when and where: Exhibition on now to 9 June. Object Gallery, 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills.

APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Kids Plays

Actor on a Box: The Tale Maker. Jonathon Biggins’ creation “Actor on the Box” is a magical storytelling theatrical piece on now till Sunday 22 April. Performed by Lucia Mastrantone who plays librarian miss Woolf, who engages children in the fantastic stories of Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Emperor’s New Clothes and the little Matchgirl. Terrific play for children aged 4 and over and a whole stack of 8 and 9 years olds liked it too. Bookings on 9250 1777. when and Where: on till Sunday 15 April at 10.30am and 1.15pm, Tuesday 17 April at 10.00am and 1.15pm. Wednesday 18 April and Thursday 19 April at 10.00am. Friday 20 April to Sunday 22 April at 10.00am and 1.15pm. on at the Richard Wherrett Studio, Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.

Kids at the House: The Opera House has a great series of activities over the April School Holidays. One of them is Finegan Kruckemeyer’s escape from Peligro Island. this is a choose your own adventure play! A dangerous concept but the audience is permitted to direct what will be happening on stage with a special voting system. each show will end up being quite different! Tickets $29/$25 and suitable for kids aged 7 and above. it goes for just over an hour. Bookings 92507777. when and where: Sydney Opera House, The Studio 19-28 April, 11am and 1.30 at The Studio. Don’t forget to go on the Kids Discovery Tour of the Opera House Tickets $24.50 with family packages available where you can go underneath the sails, backstage and much more.

Creative Play: in the Western Foyer of the Opera House ( which is right next to the Playhouse), a space has been set up with craft activities and the fabulous storyteller Chris who several times a day will entertain the kids with his magical stories (I loved the one about gender ambiguous spider Sophie and her marauding pirate friends!!). on from 9- 4pm daily FREE. story telling is on at 10, 11, 12, 1.30 and 2.30 till Wed 18 then the story telling is only on at 10 and 12.30 as Escape from Peligro Island takes over at 11 and 1.30 daily. great for the toddlers and also for up to about year 3 kids. Where and when: Western Foyer Opera House, on till Sunday April 22

I, Bunyip, Eth’s puppetry kid show which has been developed with Aboriginal communities features huge life like puppets – ancient indigenous creatures that used to roam the land. You can come up and meet them after the show. Tickets are $18 single or $64 for a group of 4 with 2 kids. when and where: 17 and 18 April at 10 am, noon, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith.

Stage Fright: The Zenith Theatre at Chatswood presents “Stage Fright” based on some of the stories by Paul Jennings. on Saturday 14 April at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets 97777555. when and where: Zenith Theatre Chatswood.

Sydney Olympic Park: there is a load of fun to be had at Sydney Olympic Park over the April Easter holidays. Free activity includes the Brick Pit Ring Walk, the Bird Watching sessions, the Clue Trail and Discovery Trails, the Mystical Creatures Egg Hunt and the Incredible Chase. other activities include soccer camps, flying trapeze, mini golf, heritage railway discovery tour, kids writing workshops, digital film making workshops and Art Express. Details at Sydney Olympic Park. Where and when: Easter school holidays, Sydney Olympic Park.

We’re going on a bear hunt! at the Ensemble theatre, kids can come along for a special bear hunt with Max the dog. Directed by Anna Crawford, this play “We’re going on a bear hunt!” is based on the book by Michael Rosen which has been adapted for stage by mark Kilmurry with original music by Daryl Wallace. The cast includes Catherine McGraffin, Douglas Hansell, Shondelle Pratt and Felix Gentle. Tickets are $21 and the play is suitable for kids aged 3 and above. Bookings 9929 0644. when and where: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli, on till Sunday 22 April, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am, noon and 3 pm. Saturday and Sunday 11 and 2 pm.

Workshops

Australian Museum: Activities for kids at the Australian Museum throughout the school holidays include painting and designing boomerangs, free Aboriginal performances, scientists for a day workshops and becoming a forensic science investigator. there will also be the Torchlight Tours after dark and details at australianmuseum.net.au. when and where: April School Holidays, Australian Museum College Street Sydney.

Australian National Maritime Museum: Fish and Fishing is the huge theme for the Easter holidays at the National Maritime Museum. There’ll be hourly sessions where you can do all sorts of fishy activities, making puzzles and bags as part of the exhibition Fishing Australian Art. there is a stop motion and clay motion workshop on 20 April from 10am to 3pm a pirate family cruise and torchlight family tours (Shipwrecked!). To mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, on Sunday 15 April there’ll be special activities including talks, making ship models and giant iceberg sculptures and a movie marathon. when and where: April school holidays, National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour.

Penrith Regional Gallery: Make your own piñata sculpture with artist Trish Hickey on Wednesday April 18 for kids aged 9 to 12. Cost is $22 per student. on 10 till 1 pm. You can also join the doll-assemblage sculpture workshop as Claudia de Cola will help you use sculpture materials to make a doll family. $15 per student. Wednesday 18 April 10 till 12 noon. other activities include monster mobiles, clay terrariums, cartooning workshops and the kids autumn festival on Sunday 22 April. when and where: Penrith Regional Gallery, River Road, Emu Plains.

Powerhouse Discovery Centre Castle Hill: Right in the middle of the school holidays on Saturday 14 April will be a special open day program with lots of activities for kids, a special look through the museum storage areas and discovery trails. there will also be a special school holiday program from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 April. These include holiday shows with storytelling, mini workshops such as the liquid nitrogen show, junk jewellery workshop, kinetic toys workshop and huge crowd pleasers, the full day Lego robotics workshops. Details on 9762 1300. when and where: Open day is on Saturday 14 April and activities throughout the April school holidays. 172 Showground Road, Castle Hill and parking is available.

HHT activities: as part of the exhibition Home front at the Museum of Sydney, you can learn about what life was like on the home front in world war 2 in Sydney. this event will take place at the Susannah Place Museum in the Rocks and you will get to go in the air shelter in the base, hear an air raid siren and plant seedlings in the garden. Suitable for kids aged 8 and above. Family tickets $30, concession $15. Telephone 8239 2211. when and where: Thursday 19 April, Tuesday 17 April 10.30 am till 12 pm at Susannah Place Museum, 58-64 Gloucester Street The Rocks.

State Library activities: Join in story time at the State Library on Monday 16 April 10 to 11 am ($5). Meet in the Macquarie Street foyer. on Monday 15 April from 12:30 to 1:30 you can take a tour of the Mitchell Library suitable for kids aged 5 and above ($5). Claymation activities on Wednesday 18 April 9:30 am to 3 pm ($50). Meet at the Macquarie Street foyer. Up Late at the Library is on Thursday 19 April from 5 til 7 pm ($15) and you can take a behind the scenes evening tour of the Mitchell Library (including finding out where Matthew Flinders cat Trim would go at night in the library) and delight in pizza dinner!

Out and about

Waverley Council Activities at Bondi Pavilion: A whole range of kids workshops is on at the Bondi Pavilion in the school holidays including mast making, drama, acting workshops, animation, print making, musical play and dance style workshops. Check it out at waverley.nsw.gov. when and where: 9-22 April, Bondi Pavilion.

Sydney Observatory: The Sydney Observatory will run a full April School Holiday program featuring activities in the 3D Space Theatre, the Planetarium and telescope tours, the mini-rocket scientist party days, archaeologists in training workshops and time detective games. You will also be able to access Port Phillip, make a model of planets and watch the Time Ball drop at 1 pm every day. there are also night programs which include telescope viewings, the Rings of Saturn pizza nights and tales of the telescope with Dr Paul Payne. when and where: Sydney Observatory, the Easter school holidays.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

OUT AND ABOUT

Strickland House Open Day: if you have been wondering what the inside of Stickland House looks like then this is your chance to have a look at this historic property on Sunday 22 April. there will be 2 guided tours at 11 am and 2 pm. Bring your own picnic or you can buy refreshments there. Admission $4 for adults and children under 16 free but admission to the grounds of the garden is free. when and where: Sunday 22 April, 10 till 4 pm Strickland House, 52 Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse.

PERFORMANCE

My Imaginary Family: Written and performed by Aunty Jack star Graham Bond this is a play about Graham Bond’s life and family and his career. The show will tour to IPAC in Wollongong and the Civic Theatre in Newcastle. when and where: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, April 17 to 28.

Aladdin’s Tales: The next kids play on at the Marion Street Theatre for young people is “Aladdin’s Tales” on from 26 may to 14 July. Jenny Jackson and Katherine Martin have adapted the play with original music and Terry Ryan directs. Kids tickets are $18, adults $22 and families for $68. when and where: Marian Street Theatre, Killara, 26 may to 30 June and the show will be on for a run during the June/July school holidays.

WORKSHOP

The beauty of Botany: if you would like to learn a bit more about botanical art, Beverly Allen will teach you in a full day workshop at the State Library. this workshop has been inspired by the current exhibition about the artist William Lewin and you will be able to learn the basics of botanical drawing and from the specimens that you will be presented with. Beverly Allen is a designer and botanical artist. $100/90/85. Bookings through the State Library of New South Wales in Macquarie Street. when and where: Saturday 21 April 10 till 2 pm at the State Library.

FUNDRAISER

Ghost night at Ancient Government House, Parramatta: this is a fundraiser evening to support the National Trust properties in Parramatta. You will be taken through the Ancient Government House which is now 213 years ancient and hear ghost stories and about the tragic accidents that occurred there. Supper is included and the cost is $30/27. Bookings 9635 8149 or friendsofogh.com. when and where: 20 April 7.15 for 7.30 start, Ancient Government House, Parramatta.

MUSIC

Australia Ensemble: on Saturday April 21, the Australia Ensemble will perform a special work by Ravel where 3 poems by Stephane Mallarme have been place to music in a chamber piece. The program also features works by Milhaud, Schultz and Brahms. Tickets are available at the door. when and where: Saturday April 21 8pm Sir John Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW, parking via Gate 11 in Botany Street, Randwick. 9385 4874.

Sydney Uni Symphony Orchestra and University of New South Wales Orchestra: two of the larger universities in Sydney will bring together their musical forces and combine their orchestras to perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major. Conducted by George Ellis on April 20 and April 28. The first performance is on at the Sir John Clancy Auditorium at the University of New South Wales (Friday 20 April 7:30 pm) and the second concert is on at the great Hall, University of Sydney (Saturday 28 April 7:30 pm). The second concert features Australian pianist Kathryn Selby performing Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor. (Kathryn will not be performing in the Mahler Symphony at the University of New South Wales on April 20 – just on April 28 at Sydney University where there will also be 3 other performers Jeremy Chew, Thomas Chawner and Anthony Albrecht. Tickets $20/$15/$10. this is a rare interuniversity collaboration and only the second time these orchestras have collaborated in history!

OUT AND ABOUT

Stargazing at Parramatta Park: are you a budding Galileo? Or do you just like looking into telescopes and checking out the sky? You can do this at Parramatta Park’s star staring event on Saturday 28 April. Not only will there be 20 telescopes that you can peer through but there’ll be 2 talks about governor Brisbane and the Parramatta Observatory which ran from 1821 to 1825 and the talks will be given by Dr Ragbir Bhathal at the University of Western Sydney and Dr Peter Tyler a historian of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Refreshments available at the café and the park is open to vehicles until 8.30. Bring a torch! Information 8833 5000. when and where: Saturday 28 April 5.30 till 8.00 pm at the telescopes on Salter’s Field in front of the Dairy, Parramatta Park, Parramatta.

TALKS

AC Grayling. A Sydney writers festival event, author AC Grayling comes to Sydney to talk about the public and private sphere and where our private lives are open to public dissection. Tickets available on 8256 2222. $25/15. when and where: City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Tuesday 17 April 6.30 pm.

The Patroness and the Painter: this is a talk about Elizabeth Macquarie and the artist John Lewin and Elizabeth Macquarie’s patronage of his art. The talk is given by Robin Walsh, the author if “In her own words: the writings of Elizabeth Macquarie”. $15/$10. when and where: Thursday 19 April 6 to 7 pm Friends Room, Mitchell Building, State Library.

FILM FESTIVAL

Japanese Cinema Week: The Japan Foundation Sydney will host free Japanese cinema with 2 sessions each day at 2 pm and 6.30 pm. there will be Japanese films in the comedy, action, drama and anime genre. when and where: 16-20 April, 2 pm and 6.30 free admissions and bookings 8239 0055. Level 1 Chifley Plaza, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney City.

The Brentwood Relay for Life team hosts its third annual trivia night on March 10 with all proceeds benefiting the cause. so, play a small; pay a small.

Organizer Ron Yarolimek said this is the kick-off — and first major fundraiser — for the Brentwood team before it takes to the track on June 16 and 17 at Liberty High for the annual event, which benefits research for the American Cancer Society.

Yarolimek said the trivia event is a fun-filled evening.

Team Trivia Night is a casual contest among teams of eight to 10 players, Yarolimek explained. “The most successful teams have been ones with a broad range of ages in their group,” he said, making it fun for grandparents, parents and children.

Groups can consist of Relay members, family, friends, neighbor and/or co-workers. Individuals and couples attending who sign up will join existing teams.

There are 10 categories, ranging from sports or music to interactive categories, which can include identifying a Jelly Belly flavor. the winning team receives a package filled with merchandise and high-value gift cards.

Teams are encouraged to come early, bring snacks or a light dinner before the contest gets under way. there will be a no-host bar available with wine, beer, soda and water. also on hand will be coffee, dessert and prizes.

The first two trivia nights raised more than $7,000.

“It’s been a huge success. Teams decorate their tables and share their food,” he said, adding that he expects even more creativity in table décor this year.

Doors open at 5:30 for socializing, with the games beginning sharply at 7 p.m. March 10 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. in Brentwood.

Because alcohol is served, you must be 18 years or older to attend. Tickets are $20 a person. Advance tickets are only available through March 2; no drop-ins allowed. for more info and tickets, call 925-550-1182 or 925-584-8708. for Relay for Life info, visit relayforlife.org/brentwoodca.

FISH WISH: the 25th annual kids free fishing derby appears to be in jeopardy.

The group said it still has a few faithful sponsors. But, still, it’s not enough.

More than 700 children participated in last year’s event, making it one of the most well attended fishing derbies in Northern California. Each child is gifted with bait, poles, a goodie bag, lunch and prizes.

The California Striped Bass Association is once again hosting the crab feed, which brings in about 85 percent of the needed funds. This year’s dinner is from 6-11 p.m. Feb. 18 at Brentwood’s Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St.

Member Crystal Lund said,”We really need (a good turnout) in order to put on the successful (derby) that the community looks forward to each year.” Tickets for the crab-and-pasta dinner are $40, which also includes entertainment, a raffle and a live auction.

For more information and tickets, call 925-754-3938 or email

Contact Trine Gallegos at .

Police identify bass mailbox thieves

NEW BERLIN, Wis., Dec. 7 (UPI) — Police in Wisconsin said they have busted a group of teenage thieves who have been targeting bass-shaped mailboxes.

New Berlin police said the 10 New Berlin West High School students, who called themselves the “Bass Hunters,” were found to be behind the thefts, which began in August, and seven of the stolen mailboxes were recovered, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Lt. Mike Glider said the students were identified following a “excellent, thorough investigation by the school resource officer at New Berlin West.”

“That’s all we can say at this time since we are still in the process of talking to all those involved,” Glider said. “We are still determining who the principal players were and who was a party to the crimes.”

Police said they are still working to determine the total number of mailboxes stolen by the group.

Man hits drive-through worker with food

HOLIDAY, Fla., Dec. 7 (UPI) — Florida authorities said a man accused of hitting a McDonald’s employee in the head with a bag of food was found passed out in his driveway.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Todd Rogers, 30, went through a McDonald’s drive-through in Holiday with his girlfriend, who was driving, shortly after midnight Sunday and returned a few minutes later when they found they were missing a drink, the St. Petersburg Times reported Tuesday.

Rogers, who deputies said was extremely intoxicated, screamed obscenities at a 22-year-ancient woman working at the McDonald’s and poked her, causing her to step back, investigators said. Rogers then allegedly threw a bag of food at the woman, striking her in the head. he threw a second bag of food when the woman closed the window, the arrest report states.

Deputies said they found Rogers sleeping in a Buick in his driveway. he was arrested on a charge of simple battery.

“I hit her in the … head with a bag of food, so what?” Rogers allegedly told deputies.

“I deserve to go to jail,” the report quotes him as saying. “I don’t care.”

Carjacker foiled by victim’s texting

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 7 (UPI) — Police in Missouri said an accused carjacker was arrested after a passenger exchanged text messages with a friend in a following car.

Kansas City police said Antonio Jackson, 27, of Kansas City, allegedly pointed a gun at two women who were leaving a party at the Peanut bar downtown and ordered them to get into the front seats of their Toyota Highlander when he learned they were not carrying any cash, the Kansas City Star reported Monday.

The gunman ordered the women to take him to an ATM, but a friend leaving the party approached the vehicle before they left and asked the women if they were OK. The friend, who could not see through the tinted windows to see Jackson in the back seat, said the woman responded they were OK, but he was worried by the driver’s facial expression and decided to follow the sport-utility vehicle.

The man sent a text message to the passenger asking again if the women were OK, and she responded, “No, call cops.”

The man continued to follow the SUV and called 911.

Police said the driver withdrew $300 from an ATM and gave it to the carjacker before police pulled the vehicle over.

Jackson, who was found in possession of the $300 as well as a semi-automatic handgun with two live rounds of ammunition, was charged with first-degree robbery, kidnapping and two counts of armed criminal action. he was jailed in lieu of $250,000 bond.

U.S. bottled message found in Portugal

ADAMS BASIN, N.Y., Dec. 7 (UPI) — a New York state 10-year-ancient whose bottled message was thrown into the Gulf Stream in March says he has word it had been found 2,589 miles away in Portugal.

Curtis Kipple, 10, of Adams Basin, wrote the message-in-a-bottle as part of a fourth-grade class project and it was thrown into the Gulf Stream in March by Outer Banks fishermen off the coast of North Carolina, the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle reported Monday.

“I wrote about how I like to play football with my dad,” said Kipple, who is now a fifth-grader at Fred W. Hill School in Brockport. “And video games.”

Kipple’s fourth-grade teacher, Chris Albrecht, said he received an e-mail last week from a Portuguese woman informing him that the boy’s bottle had been found by her father and brother while they were fishing off the island of Terceira.

“My brother and my father [woke] up earlier today and went to sea to catch a seafood very common here and found a bottle with a message from a boy Curtis Kipple,” Ana Ponte, 25, wrote in the e-mail.

“About 80 percent of my students have never seen the ocean. That Curtis’s bottle made it across the Atlantic Ocean is pretty incredible,” Albrecht said.

November 18, 2011

COASTWIDE - Ocean anglers will see more stiff winds, rain and some pretty rough seas through the weekend, just like last weekend.

Anglers who get out may venture past the 20-fathom line for the remainder of the season, but few have bothered lately to make deep-water runs.

Pacific halibut fishing is closed for the year. Fishery managers plan to meet in the coming weeks to structure next year’s fishery.

The marine aggregate limit in Oregon is seven rockfish a day. Cabezon can no longer be kept by boat anglers because the quota has been met. The lingcod limit is two a day with a 22-inch minimum, and that is separate from the marine aggregate.

The ocean is closed to recreational crabbing through Dec. 15, at the earliest, after recent tests on dungeness shows low meat quantity. The commercial season also will not open on the ocean until Dec. 15.

For clamming, the entire Oregon Coast is open for mussels, bay clams and razor clams. The next minus tide series is Nov. 22 to 29, starting in the afternoon. Call the shellfish safety hotline for updates at 1-800-448-2474.

The only ocean chinook salmon fishing season now open is off the mouths of the Elk and Sixes rivers, where some anglers troll for chinook. But, rough seas have kept most anglers off the ocean and in the estuaries. A few are taken off the beach near the mouth of the Elk, as well.

No tuna catches were reported statewide this past week.

BROOKINGS – The ocean salmon season is closed, but chinook are being caught by trollers working the Chetco, which is now open to salmon fishing. not lots of fish have been caught, but some 50 pounders have been reported. most are being caught with straight, large sardines trolled slowly. The wild coho fishery has closed.

COOS BAY – Chinook salmon fishing in the bay has slowed way down, with a small action still in the Millicoma and South Coos rivers. most of the fish are quite dark. Crabbing has been brilliant off the public piers and in the lower estuary and it should continue to be excellent except for when rains reduce the salinity of the bay enough to push the crabs out to sea. The dungeness still don’t have much meat in them, but red crabs have a lot more meat.

Excellent catches of rockfish have come when anglers have been able to get across the bar.

WINCHESTER BAY – Sturgeon fishing is slow. Chinook and coho catches are way down but crabbing has been very excellent to brilliant.

AGATE – A new batch of legal-sized and larger trout was stocked recently for the winter trout fishery. Look for very excellent fishing for them around the lower section of the lake, which is still at 30 percent full. Worms or PowerBait will be best. No gas motors are allowed. Small electric motors are legal.

APPLEGATE – The facilities at Hart-Tish Park are closed and the low-water ramp at French Gulch is open and usable, as is the Copper ramp. The lake received some more legal-sized and lunker trout last month, and fishing for them remains decent for the few trying for them. Catch them trolling Triple Teasers or Wedding Ring lures with worms. Bass fishing is slowing as the water drops and cools.

EMIGRANT – The lake’s stocked rainbow trout are biting honestly well near the county boat ramp, near the dam and up the Emigrant Arm. The lake was listed Thursday at 40 percent full. The warmwater bite is waning with the colder weather, but a few bass can still be taken with slowly retrieved crankbaits around submerged willows and points. Lots of yellow perch in the catches, but still enough crappie to keep things interesting.

A standing public-health advisory continues about eating all but trout from the lake because of elevated mercury levels.

HOWARD PRAIRIE – The lake is closed for the season.

HYATT – The lake is closed for the season.

DIAMOND – The lake is closed for the season.

LEMOLO – The lake is closed for the season.

EXPO – Fishing remains fair for stocked rainbow trout with Panther Martin lures, PowerBait and worms under bobbers.

LOST CREEK – The lake remains under a voluntary advisory against water contact due to a bloom of blue-green algae. Fishing effort has dropped substantially. The boat ramp at Stewart State Park is all but unusable, but the Takelma ramp near the dam is operable at all water levels. The lake is down four feet below its normal winter level.

FISH – The lake was stocked recently with huge rainbow trout averaging more than a pound apiece, and trollers have been going after them with Triple Teasers, Tasmanian Devils and Wedding Rings with worms. The catch and effort, but, have been light. The Forest Service ramp near the resort remains open. Water temperatures are cold.

WILLOW – Fishing is fair for legal-sized and larger rainbow trout stocked there earlier this year. Troll deep and slow, or fish PowerBait off the bottom.

ROGUE – A mix of methods for catching summer steelhead are in play in the upper Rogue, but fishing is only fair right now, while the lower Rogue has been slow for late-run fall chinook and the middle Rogue has been a decent place to catch summer steelhead on flies and lures, though the catches are largely wild fish that must be released unharmed. Chinook fishing is closed from the Hog Creek boat ramp up to the hatchery.

That keeps the best bet on the upper Rogue, where a variety of techniques and catches are being employed.

Flows out of Lost Creek Lake will remain at 1,100 cubic feet per second of 43-degree water, and that’s slowing the summer steelhead bite. Flows are low throughout the river, which has slowed migration. More and decent amounts of rain are needed to get things going.

Coho, but, are on the move, and more than 300 showed up for the second week in a row in the Cole Rivers Hatchery collection pond. Few coho are caught in the upper Rogue.

It is now artificial flies and lures only from the Shady Cove Park ramp down to the ancient Gold Ray Dam site. that means excellent opportunities for those fishing plugs or hard, plastic single-egg flies that usually work well behind spawning chinook. Fishing has been decent but not spectacular on this stretch this week, largely because steelhead are sparse. Plugs like K-11 Kwikfish have frightened up some nice steelhead recently downstream of TouVelle State Park. Single hard-plastic eggs are working honestly well side-drifted with spinning rods or under strike indicators for glide-fishers. still no bait in that zone allowed until Jan. 1.

Bait fishing is allowed upstream of the Shady Cove ramp, and driftboaters this week have done OK side-drifting tiny clusters of roe behind salmon redds. Cold water and very cold mornings have kept the bite down a bit, but fish are reported to be biting later in the day during overcast conditions. Small pieces of roe are best.

In the middle Rogue, steelhead fishing has been excellent near creek mouths and behind spawning fall chinook with egg flies and small egg clusters. Streamer flies on sink-tip lines and plugs also are working well for summer steelhead. The vast majority of them are wild there and must be released unharmed.

In the lower Rogue, a few chinook are hanging around the mouth of Indian Creek and a few fresh fish are moving in with the tides, but the effort and catch remain quite light. Bank anglers near the mouth of Indian Creek have fared well on Kastmasters, Small Cleos and other spoons with some green on them. others are doing pretty well on roe and sandshrimp fished under bobbers in slower water.

The Agness area remains slow for adult summer steelhead and halfpounders in riffles. Fish mornings and evenings with streamer flies, worms, eggs or plugs.

All wild steelhead must be released unharmed riverwide.

APPLEGATE – The river is open to trout fishing. All wild trout, including cutthroat, must be released unharmed. It is illegal to target summer steelhead now present in the lower Applegate.

UMPQUA – The coho and chinook fisheries are slow in the mainstem, and a few remnant fall chinook are hanging out in the Roseburg area.

The North Umpqua is slow for summer steelhead amid cold and low flows, but a few more fish have went into the Swiftwater area of late. Only unweighted flies may be used in the glide water now.

CHETCO – The entire river is open to fall chinook salmon fishing, and catches had been quite excellent until earlier this week when the river dropped significantly and cleared. Forecasts call for rain, and it looks like the river will peak and drop Sunday, which should make for some brilliant fall chinook fishing. These chinook will be on the move, so use Kwikfish in migration lanes.

ELK/SIXES – Water levels are low and that has slowed the upstream migration of fall chinook in both river systems. But rain is forecast for the weekend and that should trigger a excellent bite in the lower sections of each river. Fishing in the estuaries has been excellent at times during incoming tides that help push fish over the bars. Anchovies cast and slowly retrieved with small or no weight has been excellent, with spinners a distant second. Glide-fishers are doing fair for chinook in the estuary.

COOS – Jigging and trolling for chinook has slowed significantly for anglers still working the Coos and Millicoma rivers. Cut-plug herring remains the main bait in the Coos system.

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Belton’s record setting quarterback has started the past two games for the Texas Longhorns. the University of Texas is no weirder to having Belton quarterbacks calling the shots. This has certainly been one year that 18-year ancient David Ash will never forget — the All-State, school record-setting, three-year quarterback of the Belton Tigers stepped from the high school football field to the huge-time ranks of collegiate football, starting for the University of Texas!

For some who may not have kept up with his tale, Ash was selected while still a junior for a scholarship to UT upon graduation. He finished BHS at mid-term and enrolled in Austin to get acclimated to college and start learning the ropes in the football program.

Ash started his saga on the Forty Acres as one of four scholarship quarterbacks, the cream of the crop: last year’s starter, Garrett Gilbert, freshman Connor Wood, redshirt freshman Case McCoy and Ash .

During the summer and spring, the competition was fierce and soon started to take its toll on the talented quartet. Wood was the first to fall when he transferred. Gilbert was benched after the second game with a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery and later announced he also was transferring. McCoy and Ash (who had played sparingly in the first two games) shared playing time against UCLA and Iowa State. McCoy was forced to step aside after a blowout loss to Oklahoma and Ash started and played the entire game, taking every snap, in a home loss to Oklahoma State. He followed that by starting in last week’s 43-0 victory over Kansas, UT’s first big 12 home win since 2009. McCoy relieved before the final period with the score already 33-0. Ash completed 14 of 18 passes for 145 yards and also had his first rushing touchdown.

Even the Jayhawk broadcasters for the game admitted “It’s simple to see why Ash is probably Mack Brown’s ‘man’. Strong arm and fantastic athleticism.”

One national sports reporter wrote: “McCoy hasn’t played a meaningful snap for the Longhorns in almost a month.”

One local businessman is very attune to what Ash is going through as a right freshman QB at the University of Texas.

Former Belton All-State starting quarterback Bret Stafford, Class of 1983, went on to star at UT. In 1982, Stafford became only the second BHS athlete to be named All-State in three sports…football, track and baseball. Richard Inman was the first in 1959-60.

Stafford was “redshirted” as a freshman and then started as quarterback for the Longhorns in 34 games 1984-87 and set 14 UT records, playing for coaches Fred Akers and David McQueen. “I won more than I lost,” he commented laughing.

The former Parade High School All-American and All-Southwest Conference player was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Stafford has been following David Ash and sat down to discuss the young QB’s quick progress in the collegiate ranks.

“Looking at that whole situation, I think David is a lot more mature than most kids coming out of high school. mentally and physically. He had really excellent spring and summer practices,” Stafford opined. “David’s a little different because of that maturity. In my opinion, he’s still going to have to go through some of the things we all went through as young players…like pressing a little too hard in some situations…learning when to press and when to just let things happen naturally…that comes with field time. when you have three guys coming at you, we were all trained to try to make something big happen but some plays downfield you have to let go and just start all over again.

“David has the mobility to make things happen with his feet, too. with age and experience, he will learn when to use his feet and when to use his arm. He has both…a lot of young athletes like him don’t have both! David has the talent, in my opinion, to do what he needs to do. If the coaches just let him get outside, instead of boxing him in, where he can choose whether to run or throw it away if no one is open.” he said, agreeing that the coaches had to pick one player and not a ‘tag-team’ rotation . “From my perspective, it sure is hard going in for one play and out for the next. it doesn’t give the quarterback time to get into the rhythm of the football game. Go with one and let him make some mistakes and have some successes.”

Coaches and players at UT have noticed Ash’s work ethics and focus on the job at hand. one defensive player said “We’ve tried to rattle him…he just doesn’t rattle”

That comes from the fact that Ash has been in pre-college football training all through high school. He’s been mentored by the Tigers’ Offensive Coordinator and quarterback coach David Brewer, a former college quarterback. Ash learned before he arrived at UT.

“I think that’s always a plus,” Stafford said. “I believe coach Brewer really knows the throwing game really well and I’m sure the running game, too. That’s been the team’s bread and butter since I’ve been following the Tigers. the quarterbacks learn how to throw the ball and why they want to go where they throw it. I think David has a excellent understanding from coach Brewer and coach (Rodney) Southern of the throwing game scheme and that gives him a ‘leg up’ in certain situations. Having coaches like that early in his career is a big advantage for him. I can relate to that a bit…in my career, I had to learn a lot of different offensive schemes in college.”

Does the former UT quarterback believe David Ash will be a successful QB for the Horns?

“I do…I sure do,” he quickly answered. “If he can just stay healthy. He has all the tools. He’s mature enough and has a excellent head on his shoulders. I believe he will tell you, just like I would, that having excellent players around you make you even better…and they have some awfully excellent athletes on the team right now.

“David’s dad and his brothers were very excellent athletes and they have always been a fantastic family to be around. his fantastic faith and upbringing has led David to a leadership role…simply because of who he is. He’s a fantastic role model. My sons, Shane and Trent, and their classmates look up to him and David is mature enough to realize that the younger kids are watching him. That’s part of being a excellent athlete…living your life the right way!”

Stafford didn’t attempt to turn pro after college but he’s happy with his decision back then and stated that things always turn out the way they’re supposed to.

He tried pro bass fishing and finally relegated that to a leisure activity and has been owner/operator of best Way Carpets on Airport Road for 23 years.

“If I could place myself in David’s shoes right now, knowing the things he’s going through and all of the expectations and outside pressure, the only thing that I would offer him is…don’t read the papers the next day, wait until four years from now to read it. Just do what you do and don’t listen to critics because Austin is well-known for that, especially about quarterbacks. There are going to be some excellent days and some terrible days but don’t listen to them… just listen to yourself…just stay focused and you’ll be okay!”

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By PETE PAPPALARDO November 18, 2011

On Sunday, Social Distortion will headline at the Sherman Theater with Chuck Ragan as the opening act.

Ragan, once the lead singer from the popular punk band Hot Water Music, has recently reached into his country and rock-and-roll roots to make an original sound, which is a marked departure from the heavier sound of HWM.

Regan — who not only is musically inclined, but who is also fishing fanatic and a skilled carpenter — spoke from his family’s home about his musical influences.

“I’m with family, we just had a huge lunch down here in Andrea, La. I’m enjoying the Cajun cooking — shrimp creole, jambalaya, fried okra and basil sausage. you know, I grew up with that Cajun style of music in my family, and I’d like to play more of that style of music. I’ve certainly been influenced by it, but it’s like bluegrass. you can dabble in it, but traditional bluegrass is very strict, in a sense, and it’s the same with Cajun,” Ragan said.

His new CD, “Covering Ground,” is not so strict. The disc features original songs and vocals that are strongly reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen in vocal timbre, style and content. It was growing into this new style that was part of the impetus for Ragan to disband HWM, which had a strong fan base.

“We recorded that (album) with Christopher Thorn. he runs a studio out of Silver Lake (Calif.), right in LA there, and he’s a fantastic fella. When we were looking around for producers, I met him, and it took four or five minutes and I knew he was certainly the guy. he has a great studio, a gorgeous wife and a 5-year-ancient running around. The energy was perfect. The whole goal was to do something stripped down and really organic, just guitar, Joe Ginsberg on stand-up bass and John Gaunt on fiddle. Yeah, those boys are with me now, stuffing their bellies. We’ve been playing as a three-piece, traveling around in my van,” Regan said.

Ragan said his new material is not such a stretch from his work with Hot Water Music, which sometimes featured acoustic guitar work. One commonality with his present-day life is the need to travel to where the demand for the music lives.

“We (HWM) were based out of Gainesville. we lived in Sarasota, but there wasn’t much going on down there, so we migrated to Gainesville. I grew up in Houston, Texas, then moved to Wilburn, Ga., to Chatanooga, Tenn., then to Sarasota, and then to Louisiana. I can’t wait to settle down. I’m not sure how long I’ll be in the neck of the woods where I am. Right now it works, we glide a lot and Silver Lake is close to the airport,” Ragan said, adding that, although he loves the musical life, he does sometimes yearn for the satisfaction of a carpentry job well done.

“I like to place the pieces of the puzzle together, to sweat and get it done. I still have a shop full of tools, and I miss it. I’ll do it as long as I’m physically able because it’s a completely different mind-set, but I’ve been so busy with the music. I’ve been able to make ends meet with the music,” he said.

As for working with Social Distortion, Ragan was exuberant in his praise of the band.

“I’ve listened to Social D for almost 24 years. they were one of those staple punk/rock, rock-and-roll bands I listened to while I was skateboarding. I have a lot of respect for them. It’s something else that they are still touring. I reckon they started in 1979. this is the third tour we’ve done with them this year. They’re all real nice fellas, really nice to work with, and they place on a heck of a show,” Ragan said.

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Some drastic changes were made, and here are the largest in a nutshell:

The long-anticipated increase in daily bag limit from one to two red drum (redfish) finally passed for the northeast and northwest regions. further, there will no longer be closed seasons for seatrout and the daily spotted seatrout bag limit in the northeast region will rise from 5 to 6 fish per angler. The new redfish and trout bag limits will take effect Feb. 1, 2012. Length limits remain the same.

The FWC also considerably lengthened the spotted seatrout seasons for commercial fishers in each of the four management regions.

Deemed ‘overfished,’ gag grouper are likely to remain closed for a while, but in state waters on the gulf side, the recreational red grouper bag limit will increase from 2 to 4 fish starting Dec. 23.

To say that such relaxing of regulations seems out of the FWC’s character would be an understatement, but most anglers will rejoice at this news.

Seasonal shifts are under way as saltwater species respond to falling temperatures. during this period, nearly any kind of fish-catching is possible for gulf anglers. an inshore caster looking to catch speckled trout, for instance, could succeed out on the grass flats that have held trout since March, or, he could load up in tidal creeks that have begun to beckon the cold-intolerant favorite.

With large schools of baitfish still in place along the Gulf Coast, even pelagic species remain in play. Cobia and marauding Spanish mackerel can yet be found around natural and artificial reefs a small distance offshore.

Last Thursday, Mike Gough launched at Waccasassa and ran out of the river to a ‘hump,’ (or shallow spot) several miles out of the river at the far reaches of Waccasassa Bay. when he arrived, multitudes of showering baitfish dimpled the surface for acres. The predators corralling the frantic minnows were Spanish mackerel. The Newberry angler cast a 4-inch Rebel Minnow with a wire leader to hook mackerel until he “tired out.” Of the 50-plus fish he caught, a legal limit of 15 excellent fish (up to 24 inches) went in his ice chest. Around 20 smallish trout also grabbed the Rebel lure that finished the day “mangled and unrecognizable.”

After resting up for a few days, Gough returned Monday looking to repeat his success. But he never made it out to the hump. On his way, he chose to stop and check for trout on a favorite grass flat much nearer shore, between Waccasassa and Cedar Key. and there, trout action was just as quick as the mackerel-catching had been a few days earlier. Fishing Saltwater Assassin jigs set under popping corks, the bites came on nearly every cast. Gough opted to stay put on the clear, grassy flat where he released more than 100 trout.

Saturday morning, Doug Stringfellow and I launched Doug’s Talon at Waccasassa. Our plot was to confirm the reports that trout were well up in the river. it was still early and chilly when the answer came — a 17-inch fish that had fallen for a Sea Shad on a quarter-ounce jig head came aboard. We stopped in a number of spots along the river, casting in areas where we have caught trout through the years. while not abundant, the fish are there, all right. We had a few trout (two more than 20 inches) and a couple of legal reds when we ramped out in time for the Gator game’s noon kickoff.

Wally Grant loved four excellent days of bass fishing during an extended weekend at the mouth of the Suwannee. while pitching a Texas rigged Bass Assassin worm in a tidal creek Friday, Grant was surprised to hook a bruiser redfish. he was using 10-pound test line and tackle better suited for little largemouths, so the battle was a long one, but the Gainesville angler finally prevailed, admired and released the 33-inch copper-colored beauty.

The special fall harvest season for gulf gag grouper finished earlier this week. from all reports, the last few days of two-month season were outstanding. Sunday, a Gainesville group took a last-chance trip out from Cedar Key. Gary and John Lowell, Jimmy and Marshall Bennett, James McAllister and Trevor Miller headed offshore in Gary’s 25-foot Pro Line. they anchored in water 65-feet deep and dropped squid, sardines and freshly netted finger mullet to the bottom to take 11 red grouper, 2 nice gags, and 62 big pinkmouth grunts.

Gary Simpson, a veteran tournament angler, operates Gary’s Tackle Box at L & S Trim.

PANAMA CITY BEACH  —  Jason Aldean said he can make a party pretty much anywhere, as long as there is cold beer. he is heading to Frank Brown Park for the Country Music Fest, but you might find him on the beach with a Red Stripe or at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach when he is not singing.

“I’m definitely gonna hit the beach some and hang out and get me some good seafood,” Aldean said. “I tend to stay more in the Seaside area, Bud & Alley’s and Red Bar, and Pier Park.”

Aldean, 34, headlines the Fun Never Sets Country Music Fest with Miranda Lambert. On Friday, Lambert will take the stage following opening performances by friends Justin Moore and Randy Rogers Band, and Aldean will perform Saturday night after opening acts Corey Smith and the Dirt Road Drifters.

Aldean is known for his hits “Why,” “She’s Country,” “big Green Tractor” and “the Truth.” he recently scored five nominations for the 45th annual Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album for “My Kinda Party,” and Single and Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t you Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson. he admits his duet with Clarkson “gets a huge response,” but he squashes rumors Clarkson will join him on stage Saturday.

“if she does, it will be a surprise to me, too,” Aldean said. “I talked to her a week ago, and she was headed to Germany, so she’s out of the country.

“Don’t you Wanna Stay” is just one of the No. 1 singles off his fourth studio album, “My Kinda Party,” certified Double Platinum. This year’s best selling country album, selling more than 1 million copies, is ranked No. 4 on the all-genre top-selling albums list behind Adele, Lady Gaga and Mumford & Sons.

Although Aldean doesn’t want to reveal his set list for Saturday’s concert, his favorite song to perform “right now” is “Dirt Road Anthem,” his most recent No. 1 single off “My Kinda Party.” the song’s rap influence shows his wide “appreciation and like” for all types of music from Southern rock and country to blues and rap.

“I grew up in Georgia, a melting pot of music, listening to James Brown, the Black Crowes to REM and Allman Brothers,” Aldean said.

The Macon, Ga., native, grew up on the outskirts of town, spending weekends at his cousin’s 200-acre farm, riding four-wheelers, bailing hay, fishing and hunting. Summers with his dad were spent playing guitar.

“I was always interested in music but learning how to play opened up a whole new world for me,” Aldean said.  “Play it and sing is a whole different world.”

He said he tries to look for songs he can relate to. “My Kinda Party” is filled with small-town themes, such as “Tattoos on this Town,” his fourth single off the album.

Aldean has two tattoos, a sun logo on his shoulder and a cross on his arm with the names of his daughters, Keeley, 8, and Kendyl, 4. When he is not on tour, he spends his days with his wife of 10 years, Jessica, and their girls on his Nashville-area farm. Aldean, who played baseball through high school, now helps coach Keeley’s softball team.

Although Aldean has gone from rural roots to national recognition, his bass player, Tully Kennedy, said Aldean still is “as humble as ever.” and when Aldean is around his close friends, he said, “after I’m around five minutes, they start making fun of me. Everything’s pretty normal. They’ve always been pretty cool about this.”

The inevitable questions of “have you met so and so?” often come up though for the musician who has sold out more than 40 arenas and amphitheatres across the country this year, breaking attendance records in venues previously set by Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and George Strait.

“I’m a people guy, but every once in a while find myself getting starry eyed,” Aldean said. “One person I’ve always been nervous around is George Strait. I’m a huge fan. he is country music royalty.”

This weekend, Aldean will share the spotlight with Lambert.

“We kinda got started about the same time,” Aldean said.

In March 2006, they teamed up for “Country gone Wild” with a co-headlining tour and ACM top New Vocalist nominations. the duet later recorded “Grown Woman” together for his second album, “Relentless.”

Lambert recently won a CMT Music Award Female Video of the Year for “the House that Built Me” which spent four weeks at the top of the charts. she also is known for her hits “Gunpowder and Lead,” “Well-known in a Small Town” and “Kerosene.” she has won the Academy of Country Music top Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, top Video of the Year and Album of the Year.

Last week, Lambert received two CMA nominations, including Female Vocalist and Music Event of the Year for “Coal Miner’s Daughter” for the upcoming awards show, which airs live from Nashville at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 on ABC. Aldean, along with other top contenders Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton will perform in the CMA Awards show.

Lambert’s fourth album, “four the Record,” features her singing a duet with her husband, Shelton, in “better In the Long run.” the 14-song album, which includes the single “Baggage Claim,” will be released Nov. 1.

As much as the 54th annual Monterey Jazz Festival presents itself as one of the most cherished local nonprofit institutions, it really belongs to the world at large.

and festival Artistic Director Tim Jackson has always performed well in bringing a truly international cast of characters to the eight stages that pepper the verdant, oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds.

this year is no different, with Friday through Sunday veritably bursting at the seams with the world’s top musicians and aspiring young talent.

To that end, we have musical chameleon and innovator pianist Herbie Hancock in our midst, and one of the greatest jazz saxophonists around, Sonny Rollins, who just turned 81 years ancient.

the list continues with Latin jazz/salsa conguero great Poncho Sanchez and guest appearances by two jazz elders, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.

the two marquee artists who don’t fit the jazz mark, but nonetheless are huge names in the world of music, are singer/harmonica player Huey Lewis and his band the News, performing vintage Stax-Volt soul gems from last year’s “Soulsville,” and pop/folk/soul singer India.Arie in collaboration with Israeli pianist/composer Idan Raichel, debuting for the festival the music from their world-embracing project, “Open Door.”

“If you look closely at the schedule, there’s a honest amount of collaborations this year,” said Jackson, speaking about what he designed as perhaps the main theme for the festival. “If you look at Poncho Sanchez and Terence Blanchard (playing a Friday-night tribute to Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie), and Terence and the Gil Evans Orchestra (Sunday-night tribute to Evans and Miles Davis), with these two collaborations, they’re kind of book-ending the festival with these historic tributes.”

the performances are unique and exclusive to Monterey.

“Chano Pozo was dead by the time the festival got started, but all the others had performed extensively at the festival,” Jackson said.

other current-generation jazz stars appearing are this year’s Artist in Residence/saxophonist Joshua Redman; Monterey Showcase artist/pianist Robert Glasper; Commissioned Composer/pianist Geri Allen; the daring, cutting-edge Japanese pianist Hiromi; the edgy alto saxophonist Steve Coleman, known for his funk fusion M-Base Collective; film score composer/trumpeter Terence Blanchard; reigning king of the Hammond B-3 organ Joey DeFrancesco; and African/jazz fusion electric bass ace Richard Bona, with South American guitarist Raul Midon.

Tickets are still available in a number of combinations, including full weekend festival packages, single-day arena seats and grounds admission for the weekend or a single day.

new this year is a free smartphone app that offers festival information for owners of iPhones and Androids.

Parking for the festival is hard near the fairgrounds. Shuttle service from Monterey Peninsula College’s parking lot costs $10 for the weekend. Read the accompanying feature tale for more musical highlights and tips for enjoying the festival.

While MJF has the distinction of being the longest-running continuous jazz festival in the world with a reputation to maintain its focus on jazz, from the start, attention has also been given to regional artists and to a number of musical styles that stem from the roots of American music, be it blues, folk, soul, R&B, rock or hip-hop.

One such artist gracing the stage this year is Huey Lewis. although born in new York City, he grew up in mill Valley, north of San Francisco, where he maintains offices and a rehearsal studio.

Currently, the 61-year-ancient rock and blue-eyed soul singer and harmonica player lives in Montana, enjoying the great outdoors and a less-crowded environment than the two coasts he has called home over the years.

the multiple award-winning artist and his longtime band the News continue to travel the globe, performing for a legion of fans who have enjoyed hits such as “Power of love,” “Workin’ For a Livin’,” “I want a new Drug,” “The Heart of Rock & Roll,” “Do you Believe in love,” “If this is It” and “Stuck With you.”

Lewis has many ties to Monterey, with a history of performing small clubs and concerts here before he became a huge star. He is somewhat of a regular at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament.

in a phone conversation from his home, Lewis talked with GO! about growing up in California and the musical inspirations that led to “Soulsville.”

GO! — What’s your history with the Monterey Jazz Festival?

Huey Lewis — My dad was a radiologist, but was also an amateur jazz drummer all his life. and he played with huge bands, played swing and everything. and the Monterey Jazz Festival was a yearly pilgrimage he made every single year.

He passed away a year and half ago, in December. For him to know I’m playing the festival would be such a kick for him. So all my senses will be sparking. That’s one show you don’t mail in.

every year, my dad and my mother would go down and camp out in a Volkswagen bus for the whole jazz festival and go every day. I have so many great stories from down there. They’d camp out and go to the beach, and they’d abalone dive.

GO! — what do you do when you’re in Montana?

H.L. — I ride my horse. I glide fish. we play golf at our club up here, ski in the wintertime, all outdoor stuff. There’s hiking if you want. we float down the river on rafts for fishing trips and floating trips. Mind you, it’s a shortish season. It gets real cold in the winter. I try to plan time on the road or trips away in the winter.

GO! — Blues or rock guitarists I interview often cite their excitement about playing the stage at Monterey Fairgrounds where Jimi Hendrix played. I imagine for you being there where Otis Redding sang would be pretty exciting.

H.L. — You’re dead right. I reckon about that a lot. we played the Monterey Pop Festival. not the one in ’67. we played it in ’92. So we’ve played on that stage before. and I had all those feelings before. but we haven’t played Monterey Jazz Festival. but I definitely feel that stuff.

GO! — I’ve had the pleasure to interview bill Champlin a couple times. I grew up in the Bay Area, too, so I knew his band the Sons of Champlin real well. Both of you grew up in Marin, listened to Oakland’s soul music radio station KDIA, and went on to be super funky, blue-eyed soul musicians. Did you ever connect with him?

H.L. — yes. Champlin is older than me, and is a hero of all of ours. Champlin was the first guy I saw singing Ray Charles when I was in high school. and I went yeah! It was right in the midst of all this psychedelic stuff. KDIA and Champlin were our influences. the Sons of Champlin were our favorite band, and Tower of Power, and KDIA. That’s what we grew up with.

GO! — what other memories do you have growing up in that milieu?

H.L. — Growing up in the Bay Area was amazing. Hendrix turned the blues up to 11 and made hard rock. every hard rock band owes him. That came out of the Fillmore days. So did the Grateful Dead, this kind of bluegrass, country music turned up to 11 with feedback, played like jazz. After that there were no more three-minute songs. That came out of there, too, all of those new thoughts.

GO! — I remember seeing your band at Laguna Seca in 1987, and Stevie Ray Vaughan was also on the bill. do you remember that?

H.L. — That was Stevie Ray Vaughan’s first national tour. I heard “Texas Flood.” and I knew about the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie’s brother’s band, and Kim Wilson because he was a harmonica player. I wrote Stevie Ray Vaughan a little fan note.

Our tour was sold out and my agent asked me who we wanted to open. I said, “Get Stevie Ray Vaughan.” He said, “Who’s that?” we finished up doing two months of dates with him.

GO! — I heard you played often at Carmel’s Mission Ranch, back in the day when the ancient Barn was a bar and there were lots of rock shows.

H.L. — we played Mission Ranch before hitting it huge. we were playing shows for playing shows’ sake. trying to make a record, get a deal. we started playing Mission Ranch kind of before we even had a manager.

GO! — Where else did you play around here?

H.L. — we played the Club in Monterey (now the Hipppodrome). I remember playing Mission Ranch three or four times. For the Club we called ourselves the Sports Section. Whenever we’d write songs for a new record, then we’d want to go out and try out all the new material. we didn’t necessarily want to play the ancient material either. So we’d play clubs as the Sports Section and we did that down there a couple times.

GO! — Who were your singing inspirations?

H.L. — well, Otis Redding would be right there, and Ray Charles. Johnny Taylor might be my favorite singer of all time, although I learned him through Otis, who I learned on ancient Stax records.

GO! — how about the harmonica?

H.L. — That’d be little Walter and Sonny Boy (Williamson).

GO! — you mentioned that little Walter developed his playing to sound like a saxophonist. Who are your horn heroes?

H.L. — I love Ben Webster and Louis Armstrong. My dad being the drummer, and growing up in the house I heard a lot of Dixieland, not only Dixieland, but swing, huge band, and all that stuff. So I grew up with that, and Satchmo, all fabulous stuff. That definitely influences my playing, no question about it.

GO! — you said you went to prep school in new Jersey. When did you move back to the Bay Area?

H.L. — Let’s see, in ’68 I was in Europe for a year after high school. I went here in ’71 and joined a bluegrass band. … Some of the members were in this band Clover. They asked me to join Clover, so I did, and then we got signed and went to England.

we were a huge band in Muir Beach. we were the biggest band in San Anselmo. With Clover we played all kinds of crazy clubs. the Scoreboard, that was just frightening. we played the Long Branch every Thursday, we played the Keystone in Berkeley, the Stone down on the peninsula. we played Uncle Sam’s in Sebastopol. we played every Monday night at Uncle Charlie’s in Corte Madera, every Tuesday at the Long Branch, Wednesday at Uncle Sam’s, then Thursday maybe off. Friday and Saturday we played other clubs.

GO! — how do you keep things going through all the changes in the music business?

H.L. — It goes like this. you start doing this because who knows why. It looks like the most fun thing on the planet, and it is. Ultimately, if you have a career in this business, what it’s about is that — a career. what you really want to do is make a living as a musician. That means, when you play a show, people show up. Knock on wood we have that going on.

So that is the most important part. Those are the objectives right there. the thing I’m proudest of is we’ve done this ourselves, in house. and my team, as it were, we’re all still together. not only the musicians, but also the people who book the gigs and how we travel are all part of my team.

Beth Peerless can be reached at . GO!

JAZZ FESTIVAL ·what: the 54th annual Monterey Jazz Festival ·Where: Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey ·When: Friday, Sept. 16-Sunday, Sept. 18 ·Tickets: Grounds tickets, $45 Friday, $55 Saturday and Sunday or $140 for full weekend; youths (ages 2-18) $20 each day or $50 for three days; arena packages start at $250; single-day arena are $71 Friday, $142 Saturday or Sunday, available at 925-275-9255 or montereyjazzfestival.org. Premier Access Club, Family Discount Package and Locals’ Package also available. ·Information: montereyjazzfestival.org

-he is obsessed with playing bass and alternative bands (like blink 182, green day, weezer, reel huge fish)
-despises fashion
-likes 'lost' and 'heroes'
-is a very talented actor

i really don't know what to get him!
any suggestions?
thanks!

You could place a collection of sheet music together from some of his favorite bands…..that way he could play the songs.

if he has an ipod or cell phone or other electronic gear get him a cover for one of those should be under $20.00